Orphan Sunday was this weekend. I helped compile a list of orphan care resources as information and encouragement for all who stop by the Orphan Sunday table at church. I shouldn’t have been surprised that I was learning too. I was struck by a number of things in the process.

1. There was one passage of scripture I found repeatedly. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27). This call to care for orphans is for everyone who want to be pure and undefiled before God, in other words, for all Christians.

3. I thank God for the significant number of Bethlehem people who are involved in orphan care, many through good organizations. You can see some of the ministries on the Resource List.

3. “I wish there were something at Bethlehem for families who have adopted and want support and advice to be better parents for the children we love.” A number of people have said that to me. Well, there is a class. It’s on the Resource List.

4. At Bethlehem, there a lot of former orphans who now are beloved children of our families.

5. In fact, every one of us who is trusting and treasuring Christ is a former orphan, now a beloved child adopted by God, the perfect Father. “He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:5).